WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?

By understanding your knee or hip pain, you’ll be better equipped to find solutions that help you experience the adventure ahead with less pain.

Joint pain and osteoarthritis

Most people are likely to experience joint pain at some point in their lives. Playing sports or engaging in other strenuous activities can contribute to acute pain and inflammation from overuse of the joint. While serious injuries are relatively uncommon, chronic joint pain may progress into a more severe hindrance over time.

What is knee oa?

Causes

Symptoms

Diagnosis

WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)?

A common cause of joint pain, such as knee pain or hip pain, is osteoarthritis (OA). OA is a degenerative disease, also described as “wear and tear,” which leads to loss of cartilage.

OA is a chronic joint condition, and as it progresses, cartilage protecting the ends of the bones gradually breaks down, joint fluid loses its shock-absorbing qualities and bones may begin to rub against each other. This can cause pain, swelling and problems moving the joint.

Sometimes knee or hip pain caused by bursitis is confused with OA. There are some differentiators to be on the lookout for. Bursitis pain increases when pressure is put on the joint and can start sharply to gradually change to a dull ache. Osteoarthritis pain comes on gradually and gets worse over time. However, people with OA may also get a bursitis.

What Causes OA?

There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis and impact the rate at which OA progresses over time.

Overuse

The most general cause of joint osteoarthritis is "wear and tear", categorized by overuse of the joint, leading to increased load, or pressure, which further breaks down vital cartilage. However, this doesn't mean, that you should avoid any unnecessary movement. Moderate activity is important for OA patients, as it strengthens the muscles, stabilizes the joints and supports the nutrition of the cartilage.

Body weight

Extra weight can add increased pressure on joints and often accelerates the degenerative process of cartilage breakdown, causing osteoarthritis. Maintaining a healthy body weight is the primary way to reduce your risk of developing OA.

Age

Age is a contributing factor in the development of osteoarthritis because the natural ability of cartilage to heal decreases as you get older.

Family history

Having a family history of arthritis may increase your likelihood of developing OA.

Past joint injury

Injuring your knee or hip, and specifically damaging crucial ligaments, can cause cartilage degeneration to start much earlier or progress more rapidly. Those who have torn their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or sustained other ligament injuries, are at an increased risk of developing OA within the next ten years.

What Symptoms are Associated with Osteoarthritis?

Listed below are the symptoms commonly reported by people who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA). If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, especially if you have previously injured your knee or hip, it is important that you talk to your doctor about OA.

Pain or discomfort in your joints that may reduce mobility, making it difficult to get up and out of chairs, use the stairs, or walk long distances. The pain may be deferred, or even appear in other areas of your body, such as back pain, which could be caused by osteoarthritis.

Joint swelling may also be an indicator of OA, as the inflammation could lead to effusions (excess fluid) in the joint. These are often related to acute worsening of the overall osteoarthritic condition.

Stiffness, usually due to inflammation, may be common, especially in the morning or after sitting for a long period of time.

Creaking, crackly and popping sounds when the joints move has also been reported by people suffering from OA.

A more common description of the stages of osteoarthritis are mild, moderate and severe OA (stages 2 - 4).

Mild Osteoarthritis
At this stage, the surface of the joint cartilage is beginning to breakdown and x-rays or MRIs of joints may show small bone spurs, cracks or indentations forming. Patients with mild OA may experience pain or discomfort after a long day of walking. Wearing an ultra-lightweight brace like Unloader Hip could help prevent further breakdown while easing mild joint pain.

Moderate Osteoarthritis
At this stage, the joint cartilage has broken down to the point that the bones are more frequently rubbing together. People with moderate OA may experience pain while walking, running, bending or using the stairs. Joint stiffness is commonly experienced after long periods of sitting or lying down. Inflammation of the joints is also reported following more strenuous activities.

Severe Osteoarthritis
Severe OA is characterized by great pain and discomfort during everyday activities. By this stage, the joint space between bones is significantly reduced because the cartilage is nearly gone, causing the bones to rub and grate against each other. The synovial fluid, which provides lubrication for joints, has decreased drastically and no longer reduces friction during movement.

Joint Replacement surgery is often the only viable treatment option for people who are diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis. However, it is important to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle in order to avoid complications during surgery. Wearing an Unloader One knee brace can help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage your weight, making yourself a better surgical candidate.

HOW IS OA DIAGNOSED?

If you are worried about your knee pain and you think it may be due to osteoarthritis (OA), it is best that you talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

If you do receive a diagnosis of OA of the knee, do not lose hope as there are a number of options available to treat your condition, including the highly effective Unloader One knee brace.

In diagnosing what the problem is, the doctor will want to know about your symptoms, where the pain is for example, and how long you have had it.

Symptoms: Pain, swelling, stiffness?

Tell your doctor what type of things make the pain worse (or better). He or she will most likely examine your knee and may order one or more of the following tests to help them make a diagnosis prior to evaluating treatment options:

Blood Test

A blood test can usually rule out rheumatoid arthritis and other potential causes of joint pain, such as inflammatory diseases.

X-ray

X-rays can provide a clearer picture of the cartilage and bones in your knee (a narrower than normal space between bones may indicate cartilage damage, a sign of OA).

MRI scan

If an X-ray does not provide a clear picture as to why you have knee pain, an MRI scan may offer the necessary detail (magnetic resonance imaging shows blood supply and soft tissues, not just bones).

Joint fluid analysis

Joint fluid analysis involves drawing a small amount of fluid from your knee to check for signs of infection or other conditions.

Arthroscopy

A less common test for knee OA, Arthroscopy involves the insertion of a tiny camera into the knee to look directly at the joint. Arthroscopy is, however, more commonly used to treat injuries of meniscus and ligaments.

Find a clinic

Talk to your doctor about getting an Össur Unloader brace for your knee osteoarthritis. Once prescribed, visit an orthotist or use our search tool to find a practitioner near you who can get you fit with the right brace.